Thomas J Whelan Sr., 79

It is with a heavy heart that we convey the passing of Thomas J Whelan Sr. On December 17, 2014 surrounded by his loving family, Tom succumbed to the cancer he fought so quietly. Born in Somerville, MA Tom joined the USAF at 17 years old. He served in the military police in the Korean War an later in Vietnam and traveled the world before retiring after 20 years. After the Air Force, Tom joined the Somerville Police Department serving honorably until disabled in the line of duty. For many years he was the proud owner of O’Malley’s Pub in his hometown. Tom leaves behind an extensive network of grieving family and friends, He was a member of the VFW and DAV. A social soul, he loved the music at the Cape Cod Irish Village. He was also a life member of the Moose International and former governor of the Somerville chapter. Tom will be sorely missed. Interment will be at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA on 5 June 2015 at 14:00.

By Katjana Ballantyne
Alderman, Ward 7

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Somerville needs a zoning ordinance that requires university, health care and other large multi-million & billion dollar, non-profit institutions to create and maintain publicly accessible, institutional master plans (IMPs). As Alderman, I’ve submitted a legislative order to have an institutional master planning requirement included in Somerville’s new zoning ordinance and here’s why:

The Ward 7 Spring ResiStat meeting covered issues of interest including the future of Powder House Community School, the snow removal budget, and residential overcrowding. —Photos Patrick McDonagh

By Patrick McDonagh

Florescent lights and the stiff synthetic lunchroom seats of West Somerville Neighborhood School were harsh contrast to the early evening sun beckoning through windows. Somerville Ward 7’s Spring ResiStat meeting hosted on May 13 in the public school building proved informative enough to capture the attention of attending residents; engaging attendees past sunset with city officials addressing looming budget concerns, community questions, and topics of interest in Somerville’s surrounding area.

Alderman at Large Sullivan decried the lack of baby changing facilities at an Assembly Square restaurant.

By Jim Clark

Some of the challenges of parenting were brought up during the latest regular meeting of the Somerville Board of Alderman last week.

Tonight, Wednesday, May 20 at The Somerville Theatre in Davis Square beginning at 6:30p.m., a film that shows the effect of the social stigma of overdosing. The moms and dads, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters – all bringing the power and proof of recovery to our communities. Together we will change public perception, and ultimately the public response to the addiction crisis…FOREVER. Will you join in? The Anonymous People is a feature documentary film about the more than 23 million Americans living in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction. Deeply entrenched in the social stigma, they have kept recovery voices silent and faces hidden for decades. WHAT: Overdose Prevention & Narcan Training & Screening of The Anonymous People. WHO: Somerville Overcoming Addiction and the Cambridge Needle Exchange. WHEN: Wednesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m. WHERE: The Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville.

By Josie Grove

Last Saturday’s fifth annual PorchFest was so popular that the Somerville Arts Council’s website crashed shortly after noon. Since the online map of participating porches was inaccessible, Somervillians followed their ears to over 200 live musical acts across the city.

The City of Somerville will soon be receiving hyper-local weather and temperature data that can be used for purposes ranging from planning snow clearing to analyzing localized climate change effects, thanks to their new Somerville GreenTech Program. The new green tech initiative offers companies the opportunity to pilot their green products and services in Somerville, while holding events to bring green technology innovators together with municipal officials and other industries—all in an effort to make Somerville a resilient and carbon neutral city.

Never mind Texas. The latest hot spot for a hostile take-over is right here in our own back yard.

The city has announced its plan to utilize its potential eminent domain rights to force some redevelopment activity at the long-forsaken Star Market site in Winter Hill.

This is a great idea for when you’re having a small group of people over. I like to have all the toppings set up and prepared ahead of time for convenience. It makes it easier for your guests to partake in the pizza making process too!

Arrests:
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 Lucas Nascimento, of 31 Bailey Rd., May 11, 5:20 p.m., arrested at 36 Powder House Blvd. on a charge of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.